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MAY 17, 2024
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Giving Cairns ‘love’
Douglas council CEO quits l DOUGLAS SHIRE | Nick Dalton ANOTHER Far Northern council chief executive officer has resigned following the March 16 elections – this time the boss of Douglas Shire Council. Rachel Brophy (below) resigned at a closed meeting session of the council last Tuesday morning. This follows Cairns Regional Council’s chief executive officer Mica Martin resigning last month, effective immediately. Ms Brophy was present in the council chamber during the public sessions of the special meeting before and after councillors met behind closed doors. She did not comment. Her resignation was not unanimously accepted. Cr Roy Zammataro voted against all motions, including a recruitment process for a new CEO. Councillors Scomazzon, Michael Rees, Damian Meadows and Abigail Noli volted in favour. Cr Scomazzon thanked Ms Brophy for “her continued dedication, professionalism and commitment during good times and challenging situations”. CONTINUED PAGE 2
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New campaign aims to help small businesses l CAIRNS REGION | Nick Dalton
‘I love Cairns’ promoter Joanne Walters at Trinity Wharf greeting cruise passengers. Picture: Supplied
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A NEW campaign has been launched to encourage tourists to “love Cairns” and patronise the city’s small businesses. Small business consultant Joanne Walters is behind the idea, urging visitors to support one-person ventures, not just the major operators. She took her ‘I love Cairns’ marketing pitch to Trinity Wharf last week to attract the attention of passengers disembarking Carnival Splendor, wearing a distinctive T-shirt and with an A-frame sign. Ms Walters was selling ‘I love Cairns’ stickers for $6 and
providing a free map showcasing four small businesses: Bowerbird Australia Boutique, Catalena Beauty and Spa, Strada Cafe, and House of Kindred. “Each establishment offered special welcoming offers, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in Cairns’ local culture and support its small-scale entrepreneurs during their oneday visit,” she said. Ms Walters said there was a lot of interest in her T-shirt with people wanting to buy one. “But I couldn’t afford to pay for even a small run of the Tshirts,” she said. Ms Walters said one man wanted to buy 11. CONTINUED PAGE 3